East Central Alabama News

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul have addressed a letter to President Joe Biden. They are urging the removal of barriers that limit defense trade among the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia under AUKUS Pillar Two. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration in defense technologies to counteract threats from the Chinese Communist Party.

The lawmakers emphasized their support for license-free defense trade among AUKUS partners, stating, "To promote the successful implementation of Pillar Two, we included bipartisan language in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act providing for license-free defense trade among AUKUS partners, with very limited exceptions." They expressed disappointment over a lengthy Excluded Technologies List (ETL) issued by the Biden-Harris administration, which they believe undermines this effort.

Rogers and McCaul stressed that this list contradicts the agreement's goal to advance technology essential for Indo-Pacific security. They called on President Biden and his team to reassess items on the ETL and remove unnecessary restrictions.

The letter highlighted previous commitments under AUKUS Pillar One involving nuclear propulsion technology sharing with Australia. It also noted Australia's $3 billion investment in the U.S. submarine industrial base as part of its commitment to AUKUS.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell's concerns were echoed by Rogers and McCaul: "We agree with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who stated in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the current ETL 'could lead to a very cumbersome process, long reviews, overruns in terms of times and delivery.'"

The letter concluded with urgency due to perceived threats from China: "There is no time to wait. Chairman Xi and the CCP pose a grave and imminent threat to the stability of the Indo-Pacific."

Rogers and McCaul expect significant changes when final rules regarding ITAR exemptions are announced in November.